Please contact productions@avthespians.org if you intend to audition, have any questions, and/or to receive directions to AVT’s garage blackbox.

All roles will be cast by an open audition reading. Sides will be provided at the audition, and no formal preparation or monologue is required. Scripts will be provided to those cast, but those wishing to purchase their own copies for perusal can do so via Dramatists.

There will be 8 performances at the AV Winery: April 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28. Rehearsals of 2-3 hours duration will be held twice weekly, with additional rehearsals possibly added as needed. Technical rehearsals will be April 9, 10, 11.

Produced and directed by Nalin A. Ratnayake. Stage managed by Karen Gruca.

Setting: University of Wittenberg, Germany, October 1517.

Roles (open audition):
JOHN FAUSTUS, M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Th.D, a doctor – 30′s to 50′s male
HAMLET, prince of Denmark, a senior, major undecided – 20′s male
Rev.Fr. MARTIN LUTHER, D.D., a professor and confessor, 30′s male

The ETERNAL FEMININE, all played by one actress, early 20′s to early 30′s:
GRETCHEN, a tavern girl
HELEN, a lady of pleasure
MARY, Mother of God
LADY VOLTEMAND, an ambassador

Plot summary: It is October 1517 in northern Germany. The beginning of another fall semester at the University of Wittenberg finds certain members of the faculty and student body at personal and professional crossroads. Hamlet (senior, class of 1518) is returning from a summer in Poland spent studying astronomy, where he has come in contact with a revolutionary scientific theory that threatens the very order of the universe, resulting in psychic trauma and a crisis of faith for him. His teacher and mentor John Faustus (professor, philosophy) has decided at long last to make an honest woman of his paramour, Helen, a former nun who is now one of the Continent’s most sought-after courtesans. And Faustus’ colleague and Hamlet’s instructor and priest, Martin Luther (professor, theology), is dealing with the spiritual and medical consequences of his long-simmering outrage at certain abusive practices of the Church—the same Church to which he has sworn undying obedience. How these three men’s sagas overlap and intertwine and how they end up irrevocably affecting the course of each other’s lives is the substance of WITTENBERG, a comedy that reveals the story behind the stories of Hamlet, Doctor Faustus and the Protestant Reformation.

“A cocktail of brainy allusions, absurdist plot twists, sly wordplay and disarming anachronisms, fortified with serious ideas, WITTENBERG should delight Tom Stoppard fans, recovering English majors, disillusioned academics and anyone who has ever wondered what Helen of Troy was like in the sack…” — Washington Post

Missy Schaapman, Nalin Ratnayake, and Phil McKaughan rehearse for Three Days of Rain.

AVT’s production of Three Days of Rain, by Richard Greenberg and set to open November 4th, is well underway with the rehearsal and technical design process. Director Nicelle Davis is moving forward with a beautiful and ambitious vision for the production, including a blend of solid and ephemeral elements to to bring out the play’s many-layered themes.

Working on an aggressive rehearsal schedule, actors Phil McKaughan, Missy Schaapman, and Nalin Ratnayake are beginning to mesh as a cast as we close to within one week of an Act I full run-through. Each actor is playing two roles, one in the modern day Act I, as well as a parent of each character in the 1960′s in Act II.

Starting from a staging plan designed by Nicelle and Nalin, member Sarah Bialobroda is observing rehearsals and starting the sketches for her first production as a lighting designer. Sarah has operated the lighting for the shows of many AVT productions to date.

Staging plan for Three Days of Rain (click image for larger view). This is the AV Winery's warehouse area, with north pointing down on the page.

Three Days of Rain was commissioned by South Coast Repertory in 1997. It received its New York premiere at the Manhattan Theatre Club in that same year, and went on to enjoy many subsequent productions, including in London’s West End. The script was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in drama.

AVT’s production will run for eight performances at the Antelope Valley Winery – Nov 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, 19, and 20. It is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, New York.

A year after he disappeared on the day of his father’s funeral, Walker Janeway returns to New York. He takes up temporary residence in the unused space where, thirty-five years earlier, his architect father lived and designed the great house that would make him and his partner famous. Here he finds a clue to his troubled past: “April 3-5: Three days of rain.” So begins the curious journal of Ned Janeway, the father that Walker thought he knew. Long-overdue confrontations with his sister and best friend slowly force new meaning as they reinterpret their relationships to each other and their respective pasts. In Act II, we travel back in time to the mid-1960’s, where we are offered an alternative, unexpectedly romantic perspective of the family story. A many-layered drama peppered with witty moments that make us smile, Three Days of Rain ultimately questions every one of those little stories that we tell ourselves—the ones we need in order to make sense out of life.  AVT’s production of Three Days of Rain is directed by Nicelle Davis in her debut production with the company.

Claudia Y. Herrera, Stage Manager
Kevin J. Hogan, Technical Director
Nalin A. Ratnayake, Producer
Starring Phillip E. McKaughan, Nalin A. Ratnayake, and Missy Schaapman.

Winner of the 2010 AVT New American West Play Competition. Produced by arrangement with Eric M. Martin, Quartz Hill, CA.

AVT is pleased to bring to the stage the premiere of this new, character-driven drama by local playwright Eric M. Martin.  Set in the modern day, this play explores the hunger for something new that often drives us to break for greener pastures… only to discover that, sometimes, the emptiness inside from which we run cannot be filled so easily. Rather, it pursues us despite all superficial remedies — and instead of looking forward in the way we hoped, life sometimes leaves us to wonder might have been.

STARRING: Kevin J. Hogan, Melissa Martin, Will Nicolai, Stevelon Mims, and Juan Juarez.

AUG 19-28, 2011
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 4pm at the Antelope Valley Winery (20th W at Avenue M in Lancaster).

General seating, $9.
Students, $6 cash only at the door.

Fri, Aug 19 is a preview performance. All tickets are $5, and Patrons of AVT get in free! Join us afterward at Sagebrush Cafe (50th W at Avenue L-14 in Quartz Hill) for a reception with cast, crew, and the playwright.

This play contains strong language. We do not recommend it for young children.

Select Performance

Fri, Aug 19, 8pm – [Preview] $5.00 Sat, Aug 20, 8pm – [General] $9.00 Sun, Aug 21, 4pm – [General] $9.00 Fri, Aug 26, 8pm – [General] $9.00 Sat, Aug 27, 8pm – [General] $9.00 Sun, Aug 28, 4pm – [General] $9.00

Contact Email

Jessie Ann Hassan, Director
Juliana Katzman, Stage Manager
Kevin J. Hogan, Technical Director
Kara McCollum, Artistic Director
Nalin A. Ratnayake, Producer

__________________________________________

NEW: Listen to the Public Service Announcement now playing on 103.9 BobFM, courtesy of Adelman Broadcasting.

Six roles will be played by three actors (2M, 1F, one role each per Act). All characters are in the general age range of late twenties to early thirties. Sides will be provided at audition time and no preparation is required, though auditioners are welcome to purchase script copies on their on in advance if desired.  Prepared monologues, theatrical resumes, or headshots are unnecessary; AVT values individual creativity, ability to interpret and apply artistic direction, personal reliability, and teamwork.

The time commitment is expected to be 4-6 hours per week in rehearsal, all tech rehearsals (evenings week of Oct. 31), and all shows (as listed below). This does not include additional line learning and character work expected of all actors on their own time.

Rehearsals will be in AVT’s garage blackbox studio. All performances will be in our blackbox spaces at the Antelope Valley Winery.

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NOVEMBER 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20
THREE DAYS OF RAIN
by Richard Greenberg

Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, New York.

A year after he disappeared on the day of his father’s funeral, Walker Janeway returns to New York. He takes up temporary residence in the unused space where, thirty-five years earlier, his architect father lived and designed the great house that would make him and his partner famous. Here he finds a clue to his troubled past: “April 3-5: Three days of rain.” So begins the curious journal of Ned Janeway, the father that Walker thought he knew. Long-overdue confrontations with his sister and best friend slowly force new meaning as they reinterpret their relationships to each other and their respective pasts. In Act II, we travel back in time to the mid-1960’s, where we are offered an alternative, unexpectedly romantic perspective of the family story. A many-layered drama peppered with witty moments that make us smile, Three Days of Rain ultimately questions the foundation of all those little stories that we tell ourselves—the ones we often need in order to make sense out of life.

Produced and directed  by Nalin A. Ratnayake
Nicelle Davis, Asst. Director / Dramaturg
Claudia Y. Herrera, Stage Manager
Kara McCollum, Artistic Director
Kevin J. Hogan, Technical Director

Kevin J. Hogan, TUBA: 24, male from Iowa. Having no luck after college, he moved west under the suggestion of William. As kids, William was the irresponsible “bad child” and Tuba was the behaved “good kid.” After Tuba moved west and met his new friends, the roles reversed. He writes poetry and reads poetry novels. The only apparent artistic outlet that Tuba has are his webcasts. He makes these video monologues, in part, as a way to bring together his life with the life of the work he consumes.

Melissa Martin, ALLISON: 22, female college graduate. Moved from the midwest and quickly found work. She is self-reliant but still looking for herself. Her father died when she was young, leaving Allison and her mother alone in the house. There was no second marriage or siblings. She is suprised to find herself in a relationship with Tuba and doesn’t think it will last although she is intrigued by him.

Stevelon Mims, JOSE: 30, male, hispanic. Lower-middle class, college drop-out who was persuing a major in criminal justice. Often very political and has large dreams but very little ambition. Just recently had an incident with his cousin, stabbed him and fled the scene. He later hears from another cousin that he recovered. Loyalty is the center of his morals. To Jose, there is only the present moment and this is fun for him.

William Nicolai, WILLIAM: Tuba’s older brother. Found himself as a college professor after spending many years in school, undecisive of what he wanted to do. An underachiever who used to get in a lot of trouble as a young man. He has relationship problems from never being able to accept responsibility for anything.

Juan Juarez, ROBERT: 35, male from Oklahoma. Deaf in one ear. Has a son in Oklahoma that he hasn’t seen in about 7 years. His step-mother tricked him into moving to california by saying his father was sick and Robert never went back. The mother of his son refuses to accept Robert as the father even though there are no alternatives. As a child he was passed around by family members and when he was 18 tried to enlist but was denied because of his ear. Robert wants to lead a simple life and settle down with someone like Allison. He isn’t the brightest bulb in the pack but not stupid.

Thank you to all who auditioned!

Jessica Hassan, Stage Director
Juliana Katzman, Production Stage Manager
Nalin Ratnayake, Producing Director
Kara McCollum, Artistic Director
Kevin J. Hogan, Technical Director

Auditions will be TUESDAY, MAY 24TH from 6pm to 8pm at AVT’s garage blackbox studio. Please arrive as close to 6pm as possible. A prepared monologue is not necessary, though you may prepare one if you’d like. All roles for all AVT productions are cast by open audition.

For any further questions, please contact the director, Jessie Hassan, by emailing jessie@avthespians.org.

HUNGER FOR PARADISE
by Eric M. Martin

Producer Nalin A. Ratnayake
Director Jessie Hassan

Winner of the 2010 AVT New American West Play Competition
Produced by arrangement with Eric M. Martin, Quartz Hill, CA.

AVT is pleased to bring to the stage the premiere of this new, character-driven drama by local playwright Eric M. Martin. The history of the American West is replete with nostalgia and stories of the migration westward to a promised land of opportunity in California, Oregon, and the bounty of the western frontier. Many of these settlers built new lives and made transformative changes to themselves, our society, and to the land itself. But what about those for whom the promise failed to deliver? Set in the modern day, this play explores the hunger for something new that often drives us to break for greener pastures… only to discover that, sometimes, the emptiness inside from which we run cannot be filled so easily. Rather, it pursues us despite all superficial remedies — and instead of looking forward in the way we hoped, life sometimes leaves us to wonder might have been.

Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 4pm.

Jose: 30, male, hispanic. Lower-middle class, college drop-out who was persuing a major in criminal justice. Often very political and has large dreams but very little ambition. Just recently had an incident with his cousin, stabbed him and fled the scene. He later hears from another cousin that he recovered. Loyalty is the center of his morals. To Jose, there is only the present moment and this is fun for him.

Allison: 22, female college graduate. Moved from the midwest and quickly found work. She is self-reliant but still looking for herself. Her father died when she was young, leaving Allison and her mother alone in the house. There was no second marriage or siblings. She is suprised to find herself in a relationship with Tuba and doesn’t think it will last although she is intrigued by him.

William: Tuba’s older brother. Found himself as a college professor after spending many years in school, undecisive of what he wanted to do. An underachiever who used to get in a lot of trouble as a young man. He has relationship problems from never being able to accept responsibility for anything.

Robert: 35, male from Oklahoma. Deaf in one ear. Has a son in Oklahoma that he hasn’t seen in about 7 years. His step-mother tricked him into moving to california by saying his father was sick and Robert never went back. The mother of his son refuses to accept Robert as the father even though there are no alternatives. As a child he was passed around by family members and when he was 18 tried to enlist but was denied because of his ear. Robert wants to lead a simple life and settle down with someone like Allison. He isn’t the brightest bulb in the pack but not stupid.

Tuba: 24, male from Iowa. Having no luck after college, he moved west under the suggestion of William. As kids, William was the irresponsible “bad child” and Tuba was the behaved “good kid.” After Tuba moved west and met his new friends, the roles reversed. He writes poetry and reads poetry novels. The only apparent artistic outlet that Tuba has are his webcasts. He makes these video monologues, in part, as a way to bring together his life with the life of the work he consumes.

Noboyuki: Late Twenties, Male who moved from Japan to US as a student. He studied long enough to recieve a bachelor’s but doesn’t produce any degree. He is kicked out of the appartment near the college that he no longer attends and is taken in by Jose. Noboyuki is arrested and deported under the hand of his ex-landlord. Noboyuki is belligerent, humorous, and just a bit dim.

This is where we invite our donors in to view a full run-through rehearsal, giving them a chance to preview the production and be a part of the creative process by providing feedback and ideas. There is no charge, and wine and coffee will be provided.

This event is for 2011 Patrons of AVT and company members only. Want to find out more? Check out the Four Best Ways to Support AVT for how you can become a part of our work.